 |
| Difficult learning |
Difficult learning
The conditions that correspond to difficult learning tasks are the opposites of the conditions that lead to easy learning tasks. A learning task becomes difficult when one or more of the following situations exist:
1. The learning task requires prerequisite knowledge and skills that you do not have. The more prerequisites you are missing, the more challenging the task.
2. You have a negative attitude towards the task. You have already failed at similar tasks. You can see no future value for the task.
3. You cannot visualize what you are supposed to learn, or how to begin the learning task.
4. The learning task requires many separate steps, and you have to manipulate more than seven items at a time in your immediate-term memory.
5. Required equipment and materials are not readily available.
6. There is a large volume of material to learn and your time is limited.
7. The task involves complex logical structures.
8. The task requires long hours of focused work, and even minor errors can lead to failure.
Many games and toys present easy learning tasks and are thus very popular. Learning to bake an apple pie may be just on the border between easy and difficult. There is a vision of a steaming apple pie fresh from the oven; the steps are laid out in a recipe; but several steps are required, and making edible pastry is a prerequisite skill that may be lacking. Learning to repair your television set would probably be in the difficult category since there are a number of perquisites in digital electronics and communications theory that would be required. It is also unlikely that you would have access to the needed materials and test equipment.
Start today to learn as much as you can, about as many topics as you can. Any learning task that you master today will simplify all your learning in the future.
The conditions that correspond to difficult learning tasks are the opposites of the conditions that lead to easy learning tasks. A learning task becomes difficult when one or more of the following situations exist:
1. The learning task requires prerequisite knowledge and skills that you do not have. The more prerequisites you are missing, the more challenging the task.
2. You have a negative attitude towards the task. You have already failed at similar tasks. You can see no future value for the task.
3. You cannot visualize what you are supposed to learn, or how to begin the learning task.
4. The learning task requires many separate steps, and you have to manipulate more than seven items at a time in your immediate-term memory.
5. Required equipment and materials are not readily available.
6. There is a large volume of material to learn and your time is limited.
7. The task involves complex logical structures.
8. The task requires long hours of focused work, and even minor errors can lead to failure.
Many games and toys present easy learning tasks and are thus very popular. Learning to bake an apple pie may be just on the border between easy and difficult. There is a vision of a steaming apple pie fresh from the oven; the steps are laid out in a recipe; but several steps are required, and making edible pastry is a prerequisite skill that may be lacking. Learning to repair your television set would probably be in the difficult category since there are a number of perquisites in digital electronics and communications theory that would be required. It is also unlikely that you would have access to the needed materials and test equipment.
Start today to learn as much as you can, about as many topics as you can. Any learning task that you master today will simplify all your learning in the future.
